in a general sense, denotes a copy or pattern.

in a moral sense, is either taken for a type, instance, or precedent, for our admonition, that we may be cautioned against the faults or crimes which others Example others have committed, by the bad consequences which have ensued from them; or example is taken for a pattern for our imitation or a model for us to copy after.

That examples have a peculiar power above the naked precept, to dispose us to the practice of virtue and holiness, may appear, by considering, 1. That they most clearly express to us the nature of our duties in their subjects and sensible effects. General precepts form abstract ideas of virtue; but in examples, virtues are most visible in all their circumstances. 2. Precepts instruct us in what things are our duty; but examples assure us that they are possible. When we see men like ourselves, who are united to frail flesh, and in the same condition with us, to command their passions, to overcome the most glorious and glittering temptations, we are encouraged in our spiritual warfare. 3. Examples, by secret and lively incentive, urge us to imitation. We are touched in another manner by the visible practice of good men, which reproaches our defects, and obliges us to the same zeal which laws, though wise and good, will not effect.

The example of our Saviour is most proper to form us to holiness; it being absolutely perfect, and accommodated to our present state. There is no example of a mere man that is to be followed without limitation: But the example of Christ is absolutely perfect; his conversation was a living law: "He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."

rhetoric, denotes an imperfect kind of induction or argumentation; whereby it is proved, that a thing which happened on some other occasion will happen again on the present one, from the multitude of the cases. As, "The war of the Thebans, against their neighbours the Phocians, was ruinous; consequently, that of the Athenians against their neighbours, will likewise be fatal."